calls
Photo Credit: Ze Wei
Call for Artists - 2022 Guandu International Nature Art Festival
| Deadline | 2022.07.30 |
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| Results Available Date | 2022/08/18 |
| Website | Call for Artists - 2022 Guandu International Nature Art Festival Website |
| More About Residency | Guandu International Nature Art Festival |
-Post Pandemic Era Ecological Creative Works
Keywords: healing, post-pandemic era, anthropocene, ecological art, ecological psychology
【Post-pandemic Era and Anthropocene 】
In late 2019, the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the extreme weather events due to global warming, we have seen frequent occurrences of changes in international political and economic situations, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, ecological imbalances and other conditions. Therefore, rethinking and redefining the various aspects of the human-nature relationship and the imbalance between the mind and the body have become the most important topics in the post-pandemic era. Reportedly, the new coronavirus was transmitted to humans through an intermediate animal host – bats. The viruses that originally existed in the natural environment were spread globally through human activities. “Anthropocene” is a geological concept proposed in 2000 by Paul J. Crutzen, a Dutch atmospheric chemist who won the Nobel Prize in 1995. He believes that human activity’s impact on the planet is significant enough to form a new geologic epoch. It is a perfect term that sums up the numerous environmental predicaments we face today: global warming, extreme weather, air pollution, decline of ecological and biological diversity and so on. And the global pandemic brought by the new coronavirus (COVID-19) is only a small example of the result of those changes. It further makes prominent the fact that “nature” is the only foundation of all human activities and the importance of various interactive relationships.
【Environmental Art and Healing】
Finding ways to face the changing situation and use art to present the issue and reconnect and balance our relationship with nature is the focus of many environmental art practices. In the post-pandemic era, people in all fields are encouraged to ‘go to nature’ as a ‘healing’ measure. On the one hand, one can reconnect with nature and be relieved from the impact of interpersonal isolation due to the pandemic. This kind of contact with natural ecology and its effect on human psychology has led to many studies and attempts in ecological psychology. On the other, in addition to responding to the critical perspective of contemporary social and environmental changes, environmental art can also act as a medium for interacting with nature. Because art is not only the production of various forms and sensibilities of aesthetic feelings, from the perspective of the viewer, it is also an experimental and interactive experience. Hence, what we need is a concept that is closely integrated with ecology from the viewpoints of ‘going to nature’ and ‘healing.’ It is also to think about how human beings connect with sensibility through the environment, and to reflect on the possibility of ‘healing’ through artistic expressions and establishing a connection with nature. For this reason, utilizing art’s sensitive means to connect human with natural ecology and in this way reexperience the healing nature of natural environments through art is the main direction of this exhibition.
【Open Call: Healing, A Methodology】
Guandu Nature Park was officially founded in 2001. The motivation and reason behind its establishment can be seen as a healing mechanism for man and ecology. The organization of “Guandu International Nature Art Festival” starting 2006 also serves as an appeal for ecological equilibrium. Given the multiple challenges and changes due to the pandemic since 2019, we have set “healing” as this year’s main theme for the Guandu International Nature Art Festival. Entering into its 17th year, the subject of “healing” is in itself a functional appeal. The art creation is like an invitation from nature. Through the open call and invitations for artists, the Festival will think about in Anthropocene and post-pandemic era, how we lead the audience to go to nature through the combination of art and natural ecology, and experience the possibility of healing between art and nature. Let us undertake a walk to the “wilderness” and find the “healing.”
【Creative Goal 】
The creative form is not limited. It can be cross-disciplinary contemporary art, visual art, installation art and so on. The use of natural materials is given priority to the media. The creative process must comply with the principle of being environmentally friendly. The creative works should be able to convey the values of habitat construction and bio diversity, ecology around Guandu, interactive connection between birds and humans, thereby raising awareness of ecological conservation.
【Venue: Guandu Nature Park】
Guandu Nature Park started to hold the Guandu International Outdoor Sculpture Festival in 2006. Every year, several artworks are installed in the main facility area of the park. The diverse environment provides artists with creativity and imagination. The artworks are created in different types of landscapes, including forest, wetland, grassland, pond and mudflat and so on.
For more details, please check: http://www.guandu-natureart.tw/news/477
| Duration | Field Study Period: 2022/08/31~09/02; Residence Period: 2022/10/10~11/07; Exhibition Period: 2022/11/05~12/31 |
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| Funding | 1.Artist’s fee NTD$ 80,000. According to the income tax law in Taiwan, the organizer will deduct tax from the payment based on the applicable rate (e.g. 20% for non-resident) stipulated in the law. Therefore the actual amount the artists receive will be less than NTD$ 80,000. The organizer will pay this fee in New Taiwan Dollars in cash. 2.Transportation. Provide transportation fees (Domestic Flight, Taiwan High-Speed Rail, Taiwan railway, Bus, Metro, etc., the receipts must be retained) for domestic and foreign artists from artist’s residency place to Hotel. The reimbursement does not include the costs associated with passport & visa expenses. Artist will have to book the ticket and pay the fee in advance by him/herself. The organizer will pay the reimbursement by New Taiwan Dollars in cash after artist’s arrival in Guandu. 3.Local transport. Artists can use the public transport system such as metro, bus, or public bike to shuttle between the hotel and the Park to travel around Taipei. The organizer will provide artists EasyCard with pre-stored value. |
| Provided by Host | 1.Pick-up/drop-off service will be provided. However, artists who plan to have personal trips in Taiwan after the residency will have to take care of the transportation by themselves. 2.Accommodation. From October 10, 2022 (check-in) to November 07, 2022 (check-out). Each artist will receive accommodation in a single room with individual bathroom. For anyone accompany the artist, an additional bed will be charged by the hotel accordingly. 3.Materials support. The organizer will assist to collect on-site natural materials (e.g. reed, wood, stone, bamboo, leaf etc.) or recycled objects. The organizer has a shared budget for all artists for purchasing materials like hemp ropes, eco-paints, bamboo etc. Artists who need to purchase materials must consult with the curator first. 4.Meals. Lunch will be provided by Guandu Nature Park every working day. Breakfast and dinners will not be provided. The average cost for a meal in Taiwan is around NTD 80- 300. |
| Costs | The Open Call this year will only accept Local Artists (with ROC Nationality) and Foreign Artists who reside in Taiwan (with Alien Resident Certificate or Alien Permanent Resident Certificate). |
| How to Apply | Please send the required documents to festival@gd-park.org.tw. |
| Expected Outcome | 1.Community involvement: Artists will work with volunteers and local residents to create their artworks. Public participation is one of the key elements of this event. 2. Artist should prepare a public presentation to share their experiences and previous artworks with local residents during the residency. 3. Artists should be involved in any related events such as press conferences and opening ceremony. |